Apparatus for removing components from solutions

ABSTRACT

A dispensing device having a container body defining a solution retaining chamber therein, the container having an outlet for dispensing the solution from the chamber and means for removing a component from the solution as the solution is dispensed from the chamber through the container outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solution dispenser, and moreparticularly to a dispenser in which preservatives and other componentsmay be removed from the solution as a solution is dispensed.

Many solutions are available for making contact lenses more comfortable,safer, and easier to wear. For example, wetting solutions facilitate thewetting of a lens, soaking solutions serve as anti-microbial storagemedium and prevent dehydration and distortion of the lens, and cleaningsolutions remove accumulated eye secretions and other contaminants fromlenses. A large number of other solutions are also used by contact lenspatients. These ophthalmic solutions are typically marketed insqueezable plastic containers or aerosol cans having a nozzle throughwhich the solution is dispensed.

Because these solutions come in contact either directly or indirectlywith the eye, it is very important that they be free of microbialgrowth. To this end, it is common practice for preservatives to beprovided in these solutions. Among the preservatives used in ophthalmicsolutions are polymoxin B sulfate, quaternary ammonium compounds,chlorobutanol, organic mercurials, p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, andcertain phenyls and substituted alcohols.

A problem exists, however, in that the preservatives used in theophthalmic solutions can cause eye irritation if used in highconcentrations. For example, benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is used as apreservative in ophthalmic solutions and has broad anti-bacterial andanti-fungal activity when used with other components, such as disodiumethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). However, it has been reportedthat repeated use of BAK can denature the corneal protein and causeirreversible eye damage. Also, in addition to chemical sensitivity, anumber of contact lens wearers have allergic reactions to thepreservatives used in ophthalmic solutions, even at relatively lowconcentrations.

The typical remedy for overcoming chemical sensitivity and allergicreactions to preservatives in ophthalmic solutions entails switching thepatients to an unpreserved solution. However, unpreserved solutionspresent problems in marketing, as well as in home storage, in that oncethe container housing the solution is opened, the solution quicklybecomes contaminated and unsuitable for further use. They also tend tobe very expensive to produce.

Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus which removespreservatives, as well as other components, from a solution as thesolution is dispensed to a patient.

There exists a further need for such an apparatus which is easilymanufactured and economical to use.

There exists a further need for an apparatus which may be attached to astandard solution container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for removing a component,including but not limited to preservatives, from ophthalmic and othersolutions as the solution is dispensed from a container. The devicepreferably comprises a container having squeezable sidewalls defining asolution retaining chamber, but may also be an aerosol can or othercontainer. The container also preferably includes a neck portion and adispensing head having a container outlet on its end through which thesolution is dispensed. Means for removing the component from thesolution as the solution is dispensed from the chamber through thecontainer outlet are also provided.

In a first embodiment, the means for removing a component from thesolution comprise a scavenging material provided within the path of thesolution as the solution is dispensed. In this embodiment, the device isa standard solution container housing a solution having the component tobe removed, and the scavenging material is held within the dispensinghead. The scavenging material may have a positive charge for scavengingnegatively charged components or it may have a negative charge forscavenging positively charged components or it may be a material whichselectively scavenges components by a size exclusion mechanism or it ormay comprise any other means for removing a component from solution.

In an alternative embodiment, a fitment may be utilized having a fitmentbody which is releasably engagable with a standard solution container.The fitment includes passage means within its body for allowing passingof the solution from the container to a fitment outlet. In thisembodiment, the means for removing a component may comprise a scavengingmaterial provided within the fitment so as to be within the path of thesolution as the solution is dispensed from the container outlet to thefitment outlet. The fitment has the advantage of being able to beadapted to standard solution containers.

Also, means for providing a control of the flow of solution out of thecontainer may be provided. For example, a check valve may be providedwithin the final dispensing outlet to prevent backflow of solution intothe container following use. Additionally, means for regulating the flowof air into the container, namely, a second check valve, may be placedwithin the neck portion of a squeezable container for allowing air toflow into a depressed container, thereby restoring the container to itsoriginal shape. This embodiment will minimize the incidence of microbialgrowth in the area of the dispensing head proximate the final dispensingoutlet.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which removes preservatives, as well as other components, froma solution as the solution is dispensed to a patient.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such anapparatus which is easily manufactured and economical to use.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such anapparatus which may be adapted to a standard solution container. Theseand other objects and advantages will be more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention in which scavenging material is provided within a container;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention in which scavenging material is provided within acontainer;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention in which scavenging material is provided within a fitment;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention in which scavenging material is provided within afitment;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention in which the dispensing head is snap-fitted onto a container;and

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention having means for providing one-directional flow of solutionout of a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, a device 10 for removing components, such aspreservatives, from solutions, such as an ophthalmic solution, is shown.The device 10 includes a container 12, preferably constructed of moldedplastic, having resilient sidewalls 14 which define a solution retainingchamber and which preferably may be deformed by inward pressure toproduce a pressure within the container 12 for using and dispensing itscontents. The container 12 is provided with an upstanding neck portion16 having external threads 18 thereabout. A dispensing head 20 isprovided atop the neck portion 16, either integrally, as shown in FIGS.1-4, by threading engagement, or by snap-fitting engagement as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. A flange portion 22 is provided between the dispensinghead 20 and the container neck 16. The dispensing head 20 has passagemeans, such as a duct or other passageway, through its length which inturn has a first end in communication with the chamber and a containeroutlet 24 at the other end.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,means for removing preservatives or other components are placed directlywithin the dispenser head 20. In its preferred form, the preservativeremoving means comprise scavenging material 26 provided intermediate thechamber and the container outlet 24, so as to be within the path of thesolution as the solution is dispensed from the container 12. Thematerial 26 should be positioned as close as possible to the outlet 24to minimize empty space in the upper portion of the dispensing head 20.The material 26 may be compressed into a porous mass which is preferablyinsert molded into the dispensing head 20. However, any other means ofmaintaining the material in the path of the solution may also be used.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the material 26 may be in the form offine particles and held in place by porous supporting members 28 and 30.The members 28 and 30 may be made from porous plastic, such as porouspolyethylene. In either case, it is important that the solution passthrough the scavenging material 26 as it exits the container 12 so thatthe component is removed upon contact with the scavenging material 26.

A second embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes afitment 32 having a body 34 which is affixable to a standard-sizecontainer 12, such as described above but without the scavengingmaterial 26 within its dispensing head 20. The lower portion 36 of thefitment 32 is provided with internal threads 38 which complimentarilymate with threads 18 on the outer surface of the neck portion 16 so thatthe fitment 32 may be releasably matable to the container 12. As seen inFIG. 4, when the fitment 32 is in threaded relationship with thecontainer neck portion 16, an internal flange 40 of the fitment 32 restsatop the neck portion 16 to provide a seal between the fitment 32 andcontainer 12. The fitment 32 has a fitment outlet 42 atop a taperedupper section 44, as well as a passage or duct through its length. Thepassage is preferably adjacent to and in flow registration with thecontainer outlet 24 at one end and opens to the fitment outlet 42 at itsother end. In this alternative embodiment, the scavenging material 26 isprovided within the fitment 32, and removes the component, such aspreservative, from the solution as the solution passes from thecontainer outlet 24 to the fitment outlet 42. As in the firstembodiment, the scavenger material 26 may be in solid mass or powder orother form.

FIG. 6 shows a device 10 of the present invention which includes meansfor providing one-directional flow of solution out of the container,such as a check valve 52. Preferably, the valve 52 is a deformable,polymeric valve that is positioned within the container outlet 24 so asto be in flow communication with the interior portion of the dispensinghead 20 at one end and with the atmosphere at a second end. In itsnormal or closed position, the valve 52 does not allow air or solutionto flow into or out of the container 12. However, as a result of thepressure exerted onto the container 12 during use, the valve 52 moves toan open position that allows the solution to pass through to theatmosphere. When the pressure on the container 12 is stopped, the valve52 closes and any solution remaining atop the valve 52 cannot be pulledback inside the container 12, thereby minimizing the incidence oforganisms reentering the container 12 after use.

Also, when a squeezable container 12 is used, means for drawing air intothe container 12 may be provided for returning the container 12 to itsoriginal shape. Preferably, a second one way check valve 54 is providedwithin the neck portion 16 and below the scavenging material 26. Uponrelease of the container 12 by the user, air is drawn into the container12 by the valve 54, thereby restoring the container 12 to its propershape. Also, because the valve 54 is one-directional, solution fromwithin the container 12 cannot leak out to the atmosphere through thevalve 54. Furthermore, because the second valve 54 is below thescavenging material 26, any organism which should happen to be withdrawninto the container will be deposited into the preserved solution andkilled.

Both the dispensing head 20 of the first embodiment and the fitment 32of the second embodiment may include a closure cap 46. The closure cap46 may have internal threads 48 capable of matingly engaging with eitherthe threads 18 of the neck portion 16, as shown in FIG. 1, or theexternal threads 50 of the fitment 32, as shown in FIG. 3, and restingon flange 22.

Of course, containers other than squeezable plastic types may beutilized. The scavenging material may be placed within an aerosol typedispenser, a solid bottle, or some other container.

Virtually any type of scavenging material 26 for removing a preservativeor other component from solution may be used. For example, removal ofbenzalkonium chloride or other quaternary ammonium compounds can beaccomplished by an ionic exchange mechanism or chemical affinity, forexample, using fumed silica. The scavenging material 26 would preferablybe an inert material with a negative charge, and the positively chargedquaternary ammonium compound would adhere to the material 26 as it flowsthrough the fitment 32 or dispensing head 20, depending on theembodiment. Examples of products capable of removing positively chargedpreservatives such as BAK include AG-50X-8, AG-50X-16, BIO-BS-SM2, andBIO REX70, all available from BIO-RAD Laboratories, Richmond, Calif. andAcropor 5A-6404 available from Gelman Sciences, Ann Arbor, Mich.Similarly, negatively charged components, such as acids, may be removedby using positively charged scavenging material 26. Examples of suchscavenging material includes AG-1, AG-2X8, and AG-10 Alumina fromBIO-RAD Laboratories. For example, it has been found that scavengingmaterial 26 comprising Chelex 100 from Bio Rad will remove Thimerosalfrom solution. Alternatively, the scavenging material may be porousplastic, such as porous polyethylene, imbedded with a cross-linkedstyrene divinyl benzene which is sulfonated to produce either apositively charged hydrogen form or a negatively charged sodium form.Other scavenging materials useful in the present invention are thoserelating to chemical affinity techniques, such as immunoassay, activesite binding and affinity chromatography.

As one particular example, it has been found that a scavenging materialcomprised of a mixture of "Bio Rex 5" and "AG-4", both Bio Rad products,in a 75 to 25 ratio will almost completely remove 0.1% sorbic acid froma solution and raise the pH of the solution from 4.0 to 7.0. This isimportant since sorbic acid is a commonly used preservative in contactlens solutions. In addition, sorbic acid is normally stored at pH=7.0,where it is not stable. At pH=4.0, it is very stable but cannot beinstilled into the eye. The present invention will therefore allowsolution to be stored at low pH and the pH raised to an ocularlyacceptable level as the solution is administered.

Other preservatives that are not directly charged, such aschlorhexadine, could also be removed by the present invention. Forexample, a size exclusion mechanism may be utilized for removing certaintypes of preservative compounds. Overall, the term "scavenging material"as used herein refers to all material which will remove or change thenature of preservatives or other components in a solution exiting thecontainer.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it should be seen thatthe present invention provides the ability to dispense preservative-freesolutions from containers housing solutions that are preserved. Whereasthe present invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments thereof, it should be understood that various changes andmodifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art and it isintended that the invention encompass such changes and modificationsthat will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

what is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing device for dispensing an opthalmicsolution, comprising:a) a container body defining a solution retainingchamber therein, said chamber containing an opthalmic solutioncontaining a preservative agent to prevent microbial growth in thesolution, said container having a container outlet for dispensing saidsolution from said chamber; and b) scavenging means for selectivelyremoving said preservative agent from said solution as said solution isdispensed from said chamber through said container outlet.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein said scavenging means comprise a scavenging materialprovided within the path of said solution as said solution travels fromsaid chamber to said container outlet.
 3. The device of claim 1, andfurther comprising a dispensing head on said container having passagemeans therethrough, said passage means having a first end incommunication with said chamber and said container outlet being at theother end thereof, said scavenging means located intermediate said firstend and said container outlet.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein saiddispensing head is integrally formed on said container body.
 5. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein said scavenging material has a negativecharge and said preservative agent has a positive charge.
 6. The deviceof claim 2, wherein said scavenging material has a positive charge andsaid preservative agent has a negative charge.
 7. The device of claim 2,wherein said scavenging material is fumed silica and said preservativeagent is a quaternary ammonium compound.
 8. The device of claim 2,wherein said scavenging material is a size exclusion material forselectively removing said preservative agent based upon the sizethereof.
 9. The device of claim 3, wherein said scavenging means isinsert-molded into said dispensing head.
 10. The device of claim 2,wherein said scavenging material is in the form of a porous mass. 11.The device of claim 1, and further comprising a fitment releasablyengagable with said container body and having a passage therethrough,one end of said passage being in flow communication with said containeroutlet and a fitment outlet through which said solution may be dispensedfrom said container being at the other end of said passage, and whereinsaid scavenging means is provided within said passage.
 12. The device ofclaim 11, wherein said container body has a dispensing head having aduct therethrough, said duct having one end in flow registration withsaid chamber and said container outlet being at the other end thereof,and wherein said device further comprises means for releasably matingsaid fitment with said dispensing head.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein said mating means comprises a threaded neck portion on saiddispensing head and wherein said fitment has a threaded base portioncomplimentarily threaded to said neck portion.
 14. The device of claim2, wherein said scavenging material is porous plastic embedded withsulfonated cross-linked styrene divinyl benzene.
 15. The device of claim3, wherein said dispensing head is threadingly matable onto saidcontainer body.
 16. The device of claim 3, wherein said dispensing headis snap fittingly engagable onto said container body.
 17. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said container body is an aerosol can.
 18. The deviceof claim 1, and further comprising means on said container body forcontrolling the direction of flow of solution from said container body.19. The device of claim 18, wherein said means for controlling thedirection of flow of solution from said container body comprise a firstcheck valve provided in said container outlet.
 20. The device of claim19, and further comprising means on said container body for regulatingthe flow of air into said chamber below said preservative agent removingmeans.
 21. The device of claim 20, wherein said regulating meanscomprise a second check valve.
 22. A dispensing device, comprising:a) acontainer body defining a solution retaining chamber therein, saidcontainer having a container outlet for dispensing said solution fromsaid chamber, and said container body having a dispensing head having aduct therethrough, said duct having one end in flow registration withsaid chamber and said container outlet being at the other end thereof,b) a fitment releasably engagable with said container body and having apassage therethrough, one end of said passage being in flowcommunication with said container outlet and a fitment outlet throughwhich said solution may be dispensed from said container being at theother end of said passage, c) means for removing a component from saidsolution as said solution is dispensed, said removing means beingprovided within the said passage through said fitment, and, d) means forreleasably mating said fitment with said dispensing head.
 23. The deviceof claim 22 wherein said releasable mating means comprises a threadedneck portion on said dispensing head and wherein said fitment has athreaded base portion complimentarily threaded to said neck portion.